Mercer County Freeholders 1998

1998 VOTERS GUIDE

NON-PARTISAN ELECTION INFORMATION

Vote Tuesday, November 3, 1998

CANDIDATES FOR MERCER COUNTYBOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS

The League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area is a nonpartisan, non-profit volunteer organization which works to promote active, informed participation of all citizens in their government. The League provide nonpartisan information on public issues, and takes action on issues after member study and consensus. In publishing this material, the League neither endorses nor rejects the views of any candidate quoted.

All candidate information in this guide was compiled from candidates' responses to questionnaires. Replies are printed in the candidates' own words, without editing or verification. Due to space limitation, the candidates were given a word limit for replies. Words in excess of the limit are deleted and indicated by an asterisk (*).

Reprinting of this guide in part or in whole is not permissible without written permission of the League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area.

Copyright 1998 by the League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area

The League of Women Voters of the Princeton Area submitted the following three questions to all candidates for freeholder:

1. Mercer County has planned a $12 million expansion of Mercer County Airport. The FAA has proposed a completely new and larger terminal with substantial amounts of money from federal and state plans. Please express and explain your thoughts on this proposal.

2. Mercer County has experienced rapid development over the past decade. This growth has created jobs, housing, and business opportunities while at the same time putting stresses on the county's ability to provide services. What policies would you pursue, as Freeholder with respect to development? Are you in favor of assessing impact fees on developers to pay for services?

3. How would you use the State Plan to allocate the financial resources of Mercer County?

1. We are in favor of the planned expansion of Mercer County Airport. We feel that the expansion of the airport will provide more service to the people of Mercer County as well as attract economic growth. With regards to funding the expansion, money from state and federal sources are good, however the FAA should do its part in helping to fund the project.

2. We agree that the rapid development in Mercer County over the past decade has created jobs, housing and business opportunities. To some degree this growth has put some stress on services. As Freeholders we will pursue policies that enact responsible development and economic growth. We are in favor of impact fees on developers to pay for services. Developers need to pay their share to off set the cost and deflate the cost of building roads, sewers, schools, ect.

3. The State Plan can allocate financial resources to local municipalities. The State Plan is important for curbing urban sprawl and is geared toward responsible development. Home rule is important in working with the State Plan. Local municipalities can best use the funds that can be provided under the plan. We will work with local governments to do this.

1. A $12 million expansion of the Mercer County Airport is a step in the right direction for the residents of Mercer County and the surrounding area. This development will be of some importance today, but will be of vast importance in the years and decades to come. Living in the most urbanized State in the Union, we can only expect that transportation, in the form of air travel, to be an essential ingredient in our commercial and recreational life. The formation of a citizens advisory committee to monitor the environment and noise control will be essential to the expanded airport's success.

2. Development, although necessary in today's environment, can not be made to run rampant. It must be controlled and must include a planned approach. County services should coincide with the increase in development. Due to the fact that services are costly, the county should find ways to increase its revenue so that these services can be extended. One of the ways that I find acceptable is to assess impact fees on developers to assist in paying for these services.

3. Mercer County and its constituent municipalities have participated in the cross acceptance process that is required under the State Planning Act. Based on that, various areas of Mercer have been designated as suitable for various levels of development. Some areas are designated for more intense development while other regions are to remain open space.

Resources should be allocated to promote the goals of the State Plan. A commitment is essential to the long term well being of the county and to preserving the quality of life that we enjoy in Mercer County. It is essential that county officials coordinate county funding and planning decisions with the State departments that control funding for the transportation, sewerage and other infrastructure projects that influence development.

Significant Community Activities: Coach, Hamilton Little Lads T-ball, Hamilton Recreation Girls Softball, and Hamilton Recreation Football League; President and vice-president of Wilson School's PTA; Hamilton Township School Board; and Vice-president, Mercer County School Board Association; Vice-president, Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders; Board of Directors of the Center for Innovative Family Achievements (CIFA).

Responses:

1. I believe the expansion plan for the Trenton - Mercer Airport will have a positive effect on the economy. This expansion has the potential to bring greater business opportunities to our area.

Although, the proposal does calls for larger terminal the number of jet ways will be phased in over time as the need arises. This enables us to control the growth of the airport. It is also important to get feedback from the residents and business in the area of the airport so that we can expand the airport without alienating our citizens.

Finally, I believe the airport along with the stadium and the arena will contribute to the revitalization of all communities in Mercer County.

2. Yes, I am in favor of assessing impact fees on developers. In May of this year I sponsored Resolution 98-217 which encourages the state legislators and the governor to enact Senate Bill S-60 and Assembly Bill A-494. For many years our school district have been hurt by developers building large developments adding to the already over crowd schools without being required to improve the schools infrastructure.

I well continue to pursue these policy changes along with others such as legislature which requires controlled growth plans for our communities.

3 I believe the State Plan has one weak spot, the way it funds education. To that end I think we should reprioritize our resources and focus more on early childhood development. By increasing our efforts on early childhood development we can improve the quality of life in our communities.

1. We are in favor of the planned expansion of Mercer County Airport. We feel that the expansion of the airport will provide more service to the people of Mercer County as well as attract economic growth. With regards to funding the expansion, money from state and federal sources are good, however the FAA should do its part in helping to fund the project.

2. We agree that the rapid development in Mercer County over the past decade has created jobs, housing and business opportunities. To some degree this growth has put some stress on services. As Freeholders we will pursue policies that enact responsible development and economic growth. We are in favor of impact fees on developers to pay for services. Developers need to pay their share to off set the cost and deflate the cost of building roads, sewers, schools, ect.

3. The State Plan can allocate financial resources to local municipalities. The State Plan is important for curbing urban sprawl and is geared toward responsible development. Home rule is important in working with the State Plan. Local municipalities can best use the funds that can be provided under the plan. We will work with local governments to do this.